NEWS RELEASE
FROM: John O’Brien, Jr. (216-647-1144 john@clevelandirish.org)
RE: 32nd Annual Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
July 18, 19, 20, 2014 Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Berea, OH
Ireland is Calling You … to Cleveland. The 32nd Annual Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival takes place at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds in Berea, Ohio July 18, 19 & 20, 2014.
Over 100 singers, dancers and performers on three indoor and five outdoors stages will fill 117 acres, with entertainers from Ireland, Canada and the U.S.
The festival offers a wide range of music from traditional to Celtic rock. Headliners include Ronan Tynan, of the Irish Tenors; Black 47, on the Final Tour; Dervish, celebrating their 25th year as a band of worldwide influence; Damien Dempsey, and The StepCrew, like Riverdance, only faster! Returning favorites include The High Kings, Scythian and original Riverdance fiddler Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul.
Scythian is described as “a pair of classically trained dueling fiddlers, a rhythm guitar and the occasional funky accordion, powered with the driving rhythm of a jazz percussionist. Their high-energy, adrenaline-peddling, interactive brand of music has one goal in mind: to get people on their feet and dancing.”
All-Ireland fiddle champion Eileen Ivers brings her Immigrant Soul Band to the Festival. The New Barleycorn, Brigid’s Cross, Marys Lane, Bernadette Ruddy, Malachi Cush, James Kilbane and Lost State of Franklin will also be there.
Others on stage include Dennis Doyle, Guaranteed Irish, Dermot Henry, Fintan Stanley and The Kilroys.
Presenting the very best of Ireland doesn’t stop with the music. The festival showcases championship dancing and food, pipe bands, and award-winning drama.
New to the Festival this year is Temple Bar & Museum – Modeled after the world famous entertainment district in Dublin city centre, our Temple Bar & Museum has loads of singing, dancing, sessions and carrying on. A story, a song, a bit of the Guinness, a set dance lesson, you’ll find it all in our brand new AIR CONDITIONED Temple Bar & Museum. Paired with the internationally recognized Celtic Heritage Hall, with over 200 exhibits, workshops, step dancing lessons and instrument demonstrations.
There are fourteen breeds of dogs native to Ireland. They will all be at the fest; the popular Dogs Native to Ireland are back. Plus there are over 50 Irish vendors with everything from Aran knits to delicious Irish chocolate. Books by Irish authors are also available.
The Tir Na nOg (Land of Our Youth) children’s area features continuous activities and live performances, T-Shirt painting, inflatables and much more.
Festival proceeds benefit The Make-A-Wish Foundation, Holy Family Home and ten other local and national charities. Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival has donated more than half a million dollars to charities since its inception in 1983.
Festival hours are 5:00 to 11:00 pm Friday; 1 to 11:00 pm Saturday; and 1 to 10:00 pm Sunday. General admission is $12.00. Children under 10 are free.
For additional details see www.clevelandirish.org.
– ### –